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Spammers use it because it converts really well. Ugly as sin, but it converts.

Yup. There's a reason for that. Spammers are trying to target idiots specifically. Normal intelligent people who would otherwise get tricked tend to be the type with the wherewithall to follow up with authorities. Idiots tend not to be.

Interesting theory, but I'm not sure the data backs it up. As with all things, though, do your own A/B tests.

It amazes me that the A/B tests work. Is it just that they catch people who have never seen a scam before? How can people who consistently fall for this crap have any money left for rent?

The data backs it up: http://research.microsoft.com/pubs/167719/whyfromnigeria.pdf

I think we are talking about two different things. It may be that spammer are telegraphing that they are probably a scam to catch people too dumb to know what a scam is, but...

I've also personally seen how "boring" and "ugly" web pages with lots of bold and italics and even underlines convert better than a trendier, "prettier" version. For non-spam, non-scam products.

"converts really well"

I don't understand- converts to what? Another language?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conversion_rate

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